Ingram

Biography

James Ingram was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1952 and began his musical journey performing with his band Revelation Funk, which opened for the Ohio Players in the early 1970s. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1973, Ingram initially struggled, working as a session musician and backup singer for artists such as Ray Charles, for whom he played organ on the 1977 hit 'I Can See Clearly Now.' His breakthrough came when Quincy Jones heard his demo of 'Just Once' and invited him to record vocals for three tracks on Jones's 1981 album 'The Dude,' including 'Just Once' and 'One Hundred Ways.' These performances earned Ingram his first Grammy and catapulted him into the spotlight as a solo artist[2][1][5].

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Ingram became known for his smooth, gospel-trained baritone and his versatility across genres such as R&B, pop, and adult contemporary. He released his debut solo album 'It's Your Night' in 1983, which included hits like 'Yah Mo B There' with Michael McDonald and 'Baby, Come to Me' with Patti Austin. Ingram was also a prolific collaborator, co-writing Michael Jackson's 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' and contributing to the charity single 'We Are the World.' His duet 'Somewhere Out There' with Linda Ronstadt for the animated film 'An American Tail' became a Grammy-winning hit. Ingram's later career included Oscar-nominated songs for film soundtracks and a gospel album, 'Stand (In the Light),' released in 2008[2][1][5].

James Ingram's legacy is marked by his emotive vocal style, influential songwriting, and extensive collaborations with some of the biggest names in music. He continued to perform internationally into the 2010s and was recognized for both his solo work and his contributions to major musical projects. Ingram passed away in 2019 after a battle with brain cancer, leaving behind a lasting impact on the music industry[2][5].

Fun Facts

• James Ingram won his first Grammy before releasing his own solo album, for his performance on Quincy Jones's 'The Dude.'
• He was the first artist to open a Grammy ceremony with a ballad and the only artist to win a Grammy without having his own album released at the time.
• Ingram contributed vocals to the iconic charity single 'We Are the World' in 1985 alongside an all-star lineup.
• He served as spokesman for the Children’s Defense Fund and wrote their theme song, 'Sing for the Children.'

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Ray Charles - Ingram played organ and sang backup for Ray Charles, gaining valuable studio experience. (Organ on 'I Can See Clearly Now' (1977)) [1970s]
• Quincy Jones - Jones discovered Ingram and produced his early hits, shaping his career. (Produced 'Just Once,' 'One Hundred Ways,' and 'It's Your Night') [1980s]

Key Collaborators

• Michael McDonald - Duet partner on Grammy-winning 'Yah Mo B There.' ('Yah Mo B There' (1983)) [1983]
• Patti Austin - Frequent duet partner, including chart-topping 'Baby, Come to Me.' ('Baby, Come to Me' (1982)) [1982-1983]
• Linda Ronstadt - Duet partner on Grammy-winning 'Somewhere Out There.' ('Somewhere Out There' (1986)) [1986-1987]
• Michael Jackson - Co-wrote the hit 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' for Jackson's 'Thriller.' ('P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' (1983)) [1983]
• Kenny Rogers - Collaborated on the hit 'What About Me?' ('What About Me?' (1984)) [1984]

Artists Influenced

• Phillip Ingram - James's youngest brother, founding member of Switch, was influenced by James's musical path. (Switch's Motown recordings) [Late 1970s-1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Will I Ever Make It Home - Acoustic (Blue Room Afternoon)
2. Will I Ever Make It Home (June's Picture Show)
3. Chicago (June's Picture Show)
4. Almost Perfect (June's Picture Show)
5. On My Way (June's Picture Show)
6. Maybe It's Me (June's Picture Show)
7. Why Don't You (Cold In California)
8. Four Letter Word (Cold In California)
9. The Captain (June's Picture Show)
10. Solsbury Hill (Why The Wait)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia